Is the bank taking your Benefits ?

[Dipply75]

you are right, they did mention somewhere the accounts would only accept credits!

 

we'll see about that then....

 

and one phone monkey said closure in 1 to 2 days, 2nd monkey says 3 to 4 weeks, so lying and trying to confuse me - all recorded.

 

thankyou

[caro]

It may be a good idea to take a right of appropriation letter too. http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/resources/templates-library/48-bank-templates/140-right-of-appropriation-stop-the-bank-from-taking-your-money-

[InformedSearcher]

It may be a good idea to take a right of appropriation letter too. http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/resources/templates-library/48-bank-templates/140-right-of-appropriation-stop-the-bank-from-taking-your-money-

 

Whilst this might be so there is nothing stopping the bank from closing your account as in this case. With everything else regarding the banks (and I'm not being pessamistic) they still retain the attitude of 'we call the shots' reflecting they are happy to challenge you to the bitter end. This simply means they have the manpower and from experience of having 'zero' in my account for the famous words 'and how much can you pay today?' attitude.

 

Banks are also aware that whilst you might want to bring a CC judgement against them invariably at this stage you simply don't have the funds to do it. Kind of 'risk' as in the poorer the account holder is, the stronger the bank remains (and they are not stupid).

 

Michael

[caro]

I'm not saying that it's a sure fire method of getting money back, it but dipply could complain to FOS if the bank fail to comply. I know that doesn't help in the short term, but IMO it can do no harm.

[InformedSearcher]

I'm not saying that it's a sure fire method of getting money back, it but dipply could complain to FOS if the bank fail to comply. I know that doesn't help in the short term, but IMO it can do no harm.

 

Agreed and thank you for that BUT sadly it is not guanteed to do anything at all. The FOS will send the complaint to the respective bank, they in turn just repeat whatever they said initially and reply to the complainant. The original complainant is now at a cross roads and back to stage one and the whole circle of events has now taken around 40 days. There should be law that states the respective financial institutions responds with a 'final positive answer' rather than just 'play a game'. Banks are quite shameful (always knowing they hold the upper hand) at dragging things on with the knowledge the majority will never persue any further, and that's the problem!

Michael

[greendollar]

Absolutly disgusted with Nationwides Eastleigh branch!After explaining our situation and saying that they would re-imburse our charges within 72 hours they haven't.What really sticks in my throat is we had to bring the account back into credit usins money saved for our 6yr olds daughters birthday which we explained to the manager who assured us that the money would be credited back in time.The funny thing was that the cashier was going to refuse the money because it was £115 in 50's and pound coins........don't trust these people they are ****.

[tracie ann]

wow this thread really helps as im not impressed with Natwest wanting to charge me £38 missed DD , my car insurance company went in too early for the money and yet they still said i have to pay.

[InformedSearcher]

Absolutly disgusted with Nationwides Eastleigh branch!After explaining our situation and saying that they would re-imburse our charges within 72 hours they haven't.What really sticks in my throat is we had to bring the account back into credit usins money saved for our 6yr olds daughters birthday which we explained to the manager who assured us that the money would be credited back in time.The funny thing was that the cashier was going to refuse the money because it was £115 in 50's and pound coins........don't trust these people they are ****.

 

 

Sorry ever so late seeing this post. What's this 're-imburse within 72 hours'? They can do it instantly and that means in a minute or two whilst you sit there and they tap away. Don't be 'flannelled' by delaying tactics. Only once did I cause a scene at my branch and I can assure you that there was a long queue waiting. You'd be surprised how fast someone appeared and ushered me into a private office and sorted the problem out in seconds. I guess me saying out loud, 'Why do you not tell people who are in credit that you simply mess them around because you don't want their business anymore, I have twenty thousand pounds in my account?' (well it was 20 quid! hehe) did the trick. My account was kept open too! LOL Just the old story of banks still (in 2009!) not being able to credit other companies when in fact their multi million pound service infrastructure is there to do it in minutes.

Michael

[Chayton]

About 12 months ago I had to move house and needed to rent a van to do so. This meant I had to go into my Barclays "reserve" of £150. Moved house successfully but ever since then I have been totally unable to go without using my reserve fee every month because of the £22 per five days charge that Barclays apply to this reserve. I usually get charged £88 a month for these five day charges, sometimes more, very occasionally less - coupled with the occasional returned direct debit fee. The only money that goes into my account is Income Support, Child Benefit, Disability Living Allowance (for my son), Carers Allowance and Child Tax Credit.

 

Ive always assumed that because Im using the £150 reserve that these charges are valid, and have struggled hard to manage on the small amount of benefits that are left after the bank charges are taken out. I have tried and tried to cut back month after month to save myself going into the reserve but havent yet been able to. I even rang the bank one month and begged them not to take the charges for just one month so that I could get back on an even keel again - they refused.

 

Would I be able to claim these charges back? Im not the sharpest knife in the drawer and tend to get confused and intimidated easily - so if I am able to get them back would someone give me a blow-by-blow of what I need to do so that I can confront them "armed" as it were.

[MARTIN3030]

You may be able to use the hardship route.

First of all work out how much they have taken.

Then submit a request to have the charges refunded under the agreement between the Office of Fair trading and the banks,for those facing financial difficulties.

You will need to fill out the hardship income and expenditure sheet,there is calso a templated letter to go with it you can find these in the library on CAGs front page.

Under the Banking Code,they also have a requirement to deal sympathetically and speedily in response to customers who are experiencing financial difficulties.

[InformedSearcher]

I have to say I'm absolutely shocked how Barclays can charge a fee of £22 every 5 working days with Zero interest and get away with it. To me that's not far off the whole unfair charges and what that stood for. How any institution could possible warrant this kind of fee for what it is (basically a computer program literally saying yes/no) beggars belief. Barclays for this type of 'cunning' (IMHO) concept should be ashamed.... but they won't be, holding their head up high claiming they 'are helping people out'.

My first view on this is that if they know your situation they should look at it sympathetically. Personally I'd open a basic bank account elsewhere after seeing what they say (or before that even) and consider using that alternative. I would think as 'Martin3030' said go down that route.

 

Michael

(standing lividly on his soapbox)

[The GodMother]

set up a different account away from barcleys and ask all your benefits to be put in there.

[InformedSearcher]

Just for information for what it's worth you can set up Co-Op or LloydsTSB accounts on the phone with a 'zero' opening balance.

I found that when the reception staff member found I wanted a basic account at Barclays his attitude changed totally and almost threw the leaflets at me - I asked him what the big notice on the door saying 'The loviest and friendlest people work in the place through these doors' (seriously it says that!) meant?

 

Michael

Edited August 27, 2009 by MARTIN3030
Changed casic to basic.

[Chayton]

Well I've opened another account now (with the Co-op), should get the details through in about 10 days - tried to stop my child tax credit going out to Barclays next week, but apparently Thursday 27th was too late to stop the payment due in the bank on Weds 2nd because of the Bank holiday.

 

Barclays do know my situation, I explained it to them fully when I asked them to please not take the charges for just one month so I could get my finances back in order. I just got told there was nothing they could do and that I could try applying for an official overdraft. I did that on the phone with them then, only to be told that because my account has been in the reserve so much I couldnt get one. Catch 22. I can't see them being any more sympathetic with a hardship application than they were when I tried on the telephone, but I'll give it a go.

 

Many thanks

[MARTIN3030]

Yes they have a responsibility under both the waiver and the banking code,to deal with a hardship application.Theres the info and temps for going down this route in the CAG library.

[InformedSearcher]

...and 'Martin3030' you forgot to mention the words 'and it is all voluntary'!

 

It seems so ironic that a check on an account can show difficulties but the 'greed' way their systems (and their indoctrinated people) work mean that the answer is more often that not a 'no'. The 'take everything and give nothing' attitude is the whole problem of the financial services industry and it's never going to change.

Michael

[MARTIN3030]

Yes I know what you mean.

 

More often than not its a matter of dealing with the right people.

Those who know the rules,and what they are required to do will get on with doing it.

There is a lot of apathy amongst front line bankworkers at the moment because their jobs are on the line.

[Kay_Bee_]

Hello,

 

I hope someone can help me. I've looked all through google and came here!

 

I'm currently on JSA and have a Step account with Natwest. A Direct Debit didn't go through in July as there wasn't enough money in my account as I wasn't aware it was being taken in July. The DD was for £23 but was paid a few days later, when they re-applied.

 

I've since been sent a statement saying that Natwest are charging me £38.00 for the missed DD.

 

I've been into the bank today and the woman couldn't have been more unhelpful. I explained that I'm on JSA and I can't afford nearly a quarter of my money to be taken. I also explained that the missed DD wasn't my fault. I asked why the charge was so high, she said she didn't know.

 

Her only advice was to contact the company who took the DD (which I have done...it states in their T&C's they can apply for DD the first month of insurance but sometimes don't take it until the 2nd month)

 

Apparently the bank will only reverse charges if it is their fault. With that I had a few tears, pleading but she wouldn't budge. I asked if I could speak to someone else but she said there weren't any appointments available until after the charge is going to be taken (Thursday 10th).

 

My JSA is due to go in on Wednesday 9th and Thursday the charge comes out. Is there anything I can do to stop the charge?

 

I seriously can't afford to be spending £38 on a charge. I've never had any charges with this account before, and have been a good customer.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you.

[MARTIN3030]

I would write a letter and address it to the Manager.keep a copy and take it into the bank personally,go to the customer sevice desk and hand it in and ask for a receipt for it.

 

 

Suggested content is as follows;

 

Account number xxxxxxxxxxxx Sort Code xxxxxxxxx

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

I refer my account as detailed above.

On the xxxxxxxxx you notified me of a charge,as a result of a failed direct debit payment,which I am informed will be taken from my account on xxxxxx.

 

Taking this payment,will mean me enduring financial hardship,since I have only my Jobseekers allowance to rely on for my income.

 

I remind you of your responsibilities under the banking codes,that you are expected to treat sympathetically customers facing or experiencing financial difficulties.In taking this money from my Jobseekers allowance,you will be pre-empting this situation.

 

Your attention is also drawn to the waiver agreement,between Office of Fair Trading and yourselves,in relation to considerations for customers facing hardship status.

 

This is the first time that this has happened,and I consider that as a goodwill gesture this charge should be waived on this occasion,and having regards to the circumstances as outlined above.

 

I look forward to your considerations,and should this charge be taken following this notification to yourself,then I will assume that your position remains that the charge is appropriate,and I will be contacting the Financial Ombudsman to file a complaint.

 

Yours Faithfully

 

 

XXXXXXXXXXX

 

 

Sorry I forgot to add-Welcome to the site.

[Kay_Bee_]

Thank you so much, Martin!

 

I'll do that today and write the outcome on here.

 

Thanks again

[MARTIN3030]

It may work it may not-but I know of 4 or 5 cases where it HAS worked.

I think because this is your first one,the Manager will have discretion to deal with this at branch level.

Look forward to your reply.

You may not get the decision given to you today,in the other cases that I know of,they were sent a letter a day ot two later informing them that the charge would be waived,and the money was therefore not taken.

[greendollar]

We have requested on the 21st july by letter that Nationwide look at repaying our charges due to the financial hardship we are experiencing,they sent out inbcoming/outgoings form(even though we included that info by means our debt management plan from the CAB with the letter).We phoned Nationwide explaining that they already have the information but they wanted to know why and how long we have been experiencing hardship.

We provided the information and expected that,as they state in their letter,a full response by the 23rd of August.We sitll haven't received any response from Nationwide and was wondering if anyone from CAG could help draft a letter to get things moving again,any offers?

[MARTIN3030]

Do you have a thread ?

[InformedSearcher]

It might be good to mention here that you need always to read the small print of a current account. One thing to remember is that if you have an account with an overdraft or reserve that you can use/request then details of that account will more than likely appear on CRA's.

Personally I think the banks are always so ready to make charges every time without really asking what the problem is. Usually the course of events speeds up because most D/D's are called for again and if the charges have also been applied or are going to be the nightmare starts all too soon. In other words a failed D/D will normally be called for a again after 14 days and invariably the (unfair) fee by the bank will probably coincide with it and if the funds are still not there possible be charged again.

The bad side is that the creditor whose D/D call failed will probably be making a charge to you too. All in all a lot of expense that you end up fighting about when it could, if the banks thought about it, be resolved in a more simple and prudent manner.

Michael

[MARTIN3030]

Yes unfortunately little has changed since 2006.....except terms and conditions....and a lot of bustling County Court filing shelves.